GLORIA Newham is still very much one of the girls at Penrith Softball Club – and over the years, diamonds have helped introduce her to some of her very best friends.
At 75, Gloria is still rounding bases for her second division side in the Penrith City Softball Association. She has been taking the field alongside Penrith Softball Club teammates for the past 38 years.
Gloria came from a keen baseball and softball family and started playing the game in her school days before going on to play for the air force and eventually settling into her epic tenure in her hometown of Penrith.
Last year Gloria became somewhat of a local celebrity after her team reached the grand final. Her story was covered in a local paper and the team went on to win.
“I’ve lived in Penrith my whole life and there wasn’t anybody who didn’t know about it,” she said.
“Even my travel agent rang me.”
The fame came with a lot of good-natured ribbing, too, with teammates nicknaming her “Swinger” in reference to the aforementioned article’s headline.
“They gave me a really hard time, but it was all in good fun,” Gloria said.
“They are really lovely ladies.
“I think I’d be a bit lost on Saturdays if I didn’t go out there (to play).”
Gloria said winning last year’s grand final after her slightly embarrassing but amusing brush with superstardom had been one of the most special sporting moments she’d enjoyed.
It was especially memorable because her daughter Carolyn is also a member of the team.
“Beforehand I was saying we have got to win a grand final so I can retire, but when we won, the girls said ‘youre not going to retire’.”
Gloria decided to give it another five years.
“We were all just over the moon. It was an amazing feeling.”
Gloria was awarded the trophy for Most Inspirational Player at the club’s post-season presentation.
While she keeps most of the trophies won over the years in the shed, the most recent addition had taken pride of place in her home.
